Pour spout signaling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measured from a moment the sensor detects the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second time needed to react to a signal and stop the pour. The 400-ms time interval approximates the time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus emits sequential pulses according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, wherein each pulse represents a quarter-ounce increment, the green pulse represents a standard pour, and the red pulse represents a full pour.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of our U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/659,056, filed Mar. 16, 2015, entitled “Pour Spout SignalingApparatus,” and claims the benefit of our U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/955,713, filed Mar. 19, 2014 and entitled “PourSpout,” which are both herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to pour spouts, and more particularly,to pour spouts for beverage containers.

BACKGROUND

A “free pour” refers to the pouring of alcohol or mixing of drinkswithout using a measuring device. In the bartending art, bartenders aretrained to count the amount of time they are pouring a beverage toroughly estimate the volume they are dispensing. Typically, the pouringis done through an industry-standard pour spout that is sized todispense beverage under normal gravity pour conditions at a consistentflow rate. For example, a conventional pour spout will dispense about anounce of beverage every one to two seconds under the pressure exerted bythe weight of the beverage in a 750 ml or 1 liter beverage container.

In what is sometimes referred to in the trade as a “free pour count,”the bartender begins the pour by inverting the beverage container toabout a ten to twelve o-clock angle. Once the bartender observes thestream of beverage exiting the pour spout and/or hitting the glass, thebartender begins a paced count (e.g., “one, two, three, four . . . ”).When the bartender reaches the desired count—e.g., “five” for aone-and-one-quarter-ounce “standard pour”—the bartender rapidly tiltsthe beverage container upward while simultaneously turning her wrist, ina graceful action referred to as a “cut.” The speed at which a bartenderpaces her count depends on the count system employed. Some bartendersemploy a “four count” system to dispense a quarter ounce of beverage perincrement. Other bartenders employ a “three count” system in which anounce is dispensed at count “three.” Yet other bartenders employ a “oneone-thousand, two one-thousand” count, incrementing the count aboutevery second.

Several variables reduce the accuracy and consistency of a free pour.There is an initial reaction time between the moment a stream ofbeverage exits the pour spout and/or hits a glass and the moment thebartender begins the count. The flow rate may also be reduced by what isknown in the bartending industry as a “hiccup,” when an air bubbletravels up the inverted spout. There is also a subsequent reaction timebetween the moment the bartender reaches the desired count and themoment the bartender begins the cut. Moreover, bartenders may not alwayscount at an accurate and consistent pace. Of course, it is also easy fora bartender to get distracted and lose track of their count,particularly in busy environments. Frequently, these variables result inthe bartender dispensing additional beverage—a phenomenon known as“overpouring”—costing the establishment lost revenues.

What is needed is a small, low-cost smart pour spout that will helpbartenders keep track of how much beverage they are pouring and whenthey should begin a cut to stop the pour.

SUMMARY

A pour spout with a free pour signaling apparatus is provided to pace afree pour count. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus comprises asensor such as a level switch to detect the inversion of a beveragecontainer, an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time ofa pour, and a power source. The circuit is programmed to actuate atleast one indicator coupled to the circuit to pace a free pour count andchoreograph a movement to stop pouring.

The circuit is programmed with at least two time intervals selected tochoreograph a free pour. An initial time interval—in one embodiment,about 200 ms—approximates a first length of time, measured from a momentthe sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unitof beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time neededto react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour. A regular subsequenttime interval—in one embodiment, about 400 ms—approximates an amount oftime that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage throughthe pour spout. The circuit causes the indicator(s) to emit a firstsignal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emitsubsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular timeintervals.

In another embodiment, the signaling apparatus comprises three lightemitting diodes. The first LED (e.g., yellow) is used as a pacing light,with each pulse representing a quarter-ounce pour. A second LED (e.g.,green) prompts the bartender when to begin to stop pouring in order tocomplete a standard pour of 1¼ or 1½ ounces of beverage. A third LED(e.g., red) prompts the bartender when to begin to stop pouring in orderto complete a full pour of 2 or 3 ounces of beverage. Together, the LEDsemit sequential pulses of colored light according to the patternY-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red.

In one embodiment, circuit is embodied in a housing that includes acolumn that fits over a neck of the pour spout. The housing includes atranslucent exterior wall for diffusing light emanating from theindicator(s).

The following detailed description and the annexed sheets of drawingsfurther illustrate the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an unassembled pourspout with a signaling apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled pourspout with a signaling apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a signaling apparatusfor a pour spout.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the signaling apparatus of FIG. 3, inassembled form.

FIG. 5 is a silk screen of one embodiment of a printed circuit board fora signaling apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a functional flow chart of one embodiment of a signalingapparatus for a pour spout.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a signaling apparatusfor a pour spout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the subject invention is described further, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the particularembodiments of the invention described below or depicted in thedrawings. Many modifications may be made to adapt or modify a depictedembodiment without departing from the objective, spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, it should be understood that, unlessotherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specificdetails shown and described herein, and all such modifications areintended to be within the scope of the claims made herein.

It is also to be understood that terms of art and words in general carrya range of meanings. Language is an imprecise medium of communication.The terminology and grammar employed in this specification is for thepurpose of describing and explicating particular embodiments. Unless thecontext clearly demonstrates otherwise, the particular terms andgrammatical structure employed should be liberally construed.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of a pour-spout dispenser 10 andfree pour signaling apparatus 20 that paces a free pour count. Inresemblance to a standard “285” spout, the pour spout 10 comprises aspout assembly 19 and a rubber grommet 11. The spout assembly 19comprises a channel 12 for channeling the beverage, a bent-nosed outlettube 13 coupled to the channel 12, a cap member 14 for mounting thespout assembly 19 to the rubber grommet 11, and a breather tube 15 thatallows air to flow into beverage container as beverage flows out of thespout 13.

The rubber grommet 11 comprises a neck portion 16, an inlet tube 17, anda flange 18. Like a standard “285” spout, the inlet tube 17 has radialfins to retain the dispenser 10 within, and form a liquid-tight sealwith, the beverage container. The neck portion 16 is configured to fitaround the channel 12 when the pour-spout dispenser 10 is assembled.

The signaling apparatus 20 comprises a sensor 22, a circuit 30, at leastone indicator 40, 42, and/or 44—such as a light emitting diode LED, atactile stimulator, or sound maker—coupled to the circuit 30, and apower source 34 that powers the circuit 30 and at least one indicator40, 42, and/or 44.

The circuit 30 is programmed to provide signals through the indicators40, 42 and/or 44 to pace a free pour count and choreograph thebartender's movement to stop pouring. A sensor 22—for example, a levelswitch, tilt sensor or micro tilt switch—senses if the pour spout 10 istilted into a beverage-pouring orientation. An electronic timingelement, for example, a microcontroller 61 or a counter coupled to aclock signal, tracks a length of time that the sensor 22 is tilted intoa beverage-pouring orientation. When the beverage container is tipped topour the beverage, the sensor 22 initiates a count sequence to activatethe indicator(s) 40, 42 and/or 44 at appropriate times or increments.When the beverage container is in an upright position, the sensor 22 isin a position (open or closed) that deactivates the circuit 30.

In one embodiment, the indicator(s) 40, 42 and/or 44 comprise an amberLED 40, a green LED 42, and a red LED 44. The amber LED 40 is employedas a tempo light that pulses (i.e., flashes on and off) at regular timeintervals to represent conventional increments (e.g., ¼ ounce) of a freepour count. The green LED 42 flashes on after an extended time intervalto choreograph the bartender's completion of a “standard pour” (e.g., 1¼ounces) or longer pour (e.g., 1½ ounces). Finally, the red LED 44flashes on after a maximum time interval to choreograph the bartender'scompletion of a two-ounce pour (e.g., 2 ounces or 3 ounces). In a moreparticular example, the LEDs 40, 42, 44 are programmed to emitsequential pulses of colored light according to the patternY-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, andwherein each letter in the pattern corresponds to ¼-ounce increments.

The circuit 30 is programmed with at least two time intervals. A firsttime interval is selected to approximate an amount of time, from amoment the sensor 22 is activated, required to dispense a first unit ofbeverage from the pour spout 10, minus an estimated typical amount oftime that elapses between a moment the first signal is provided to abartender and a moment the bartender cuts the flow of beverage off. Asecond time interval is selected to approximate an amount of timerequired to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage from the pourspout 10.

In tests conducted in connection with the present invention, about 600ms typically elapses between the moment a sensor signals the inversionof the beverage container and the moment the first quarter ounce ofbeverage is dispensed from the pour spout 10. About 400 ms elapses foreach subsequent quarter ounce dispensed from the pour spout 10. Thelonger time needed to dispense the first quarter ounce is due in part toa bubble of air—known in the bartending art as a “hiccup”—that travelsup the pour spout 10 at the beginning of the pour.

Also, about 400 ms of time typically elapses between the moment a signalis emitted to stop pouring and the moment the pouring actually stops.Human reaction time—i.e., the time between the moment the signal isemitted and the initial motor response to begin the cut—accounts for onecomponent of the 400 ms of delay. Time needed to perform the cut—i.e.,the progression of arm and wrist movements that un-invert the beveragecontainer—accounts for another component of the 400 ms of delay.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first time interval is selected toequal about 600 ms−400 ms=200 ms, and the second time interval isselected to equal about 400 ms. Thus, the first free pour count pacingsignal is emitted at about 200 ms (i.e., the first time interval) afterthe sensor 22 detects a condition, such as the inversion of the beveragecontainer, consistent with the start of a pour, and subsequent free pourcount pacing signals are emitted once approximately every 400 ms (i.e.,the second time interval) thereafter. Because each of the signals isemitted early enough to compensate for human delay, the signalingapparatus 20 helps a bartender complete a pour without overpouring thebeverage.

The circuit 30 is embodied on a ring-shaped printed circuit boardassembly (PCBA) 31. FIG. 6 is a silkscreen 62 of one embodiment of thePCBA. FIG. 7 is a circuit board diagram for the circuit 30. The circuit30 employs a PIC10F200 microcontroller 61 and is powered by one or morebatteries 34 mounted in a battery bracket on the PCBA 31. In oneembodiment, the circuit 30 also includes logic to keep the circuit 30activated for a minimum period of time after activation to correct fortilt switch chatter.

A cylindrical housing 50 encloses the circuit PCBA 31. In oneembodiment, the housing 50 comprises a base 51 and a cap 52. Asubstantially cylindrical interior column 53 rising up from the base 51provides a seat for the PCBA 31. The interior column 53 also serves as asleeve that fits over and compresses the neck 16 of the rubber grommet11 to securely hold the channel 12 within the neck 16 of the rubbergrommet 11. A keyed portion 54 of the interior column 53 receives aprojecting portion 19 on the neck 16 of the rubber grommet 11,preventing the housing 50 from rotating with respect to the robbergrommet 11.

A substantially cylindrical translucent outer wall 56 also rises up fromthe perimeter of the base 51. The translucence of the outer wall 54diffuses light emanating from the indicator(s) 40, 42, and/or 44, sothat the indicator(s) 40, 42, and/or 44 light up substantially all ofthe wall 56.

FIG. 3 is a functional flow chart illustrating the programming of thesignaling apparatus 20. In block 71, a bartender begins the progressionof movements to invert the beverage container to pour. In block 73, thesensor 22 senses some part of this progression, for example, when thebeverage container is tilted at least 90 degrees. This triggers a timerand initializes a unit count to zero. In block 75, the circuit 30 waitsfor a first time interval—for example, about 200 ms—approximately equalto the typical time needed to dispense a first unit of beverage,accounting for any “hiccup,” minus a typical time that elapses between astop signal being issued and the bartender completing a cut. In block77, the circuit 30 increments a unit count. Next, depending on the unitcount, the circuit 30 causes one of a first, second, and thirdindicators 40, 42, and 44 to emit a signal. If the unit count is otherthan five or eight, then in block 81 the first indicator 40 emits asignal pulse. If the unit count is five, then in block 83 the secondindicator 42 emits a signal pulse. If the unit count is eight, then inblock 85 the third indicator 44 emits a signal pulse. For unit countsless than eight, flow proceeds from block 81 or block 83 to block 85, atwhich point the circuit 30 waits for a second time intervalapproximately equal to the typical time needed to dispense eachadditional unit of liquor. After eight signals are emitted, theindicators 40, 42, and 44 all go and stay dark until the next pour.

The present invention may be adapted to into many different embodimentsin which the signaling apparatus may take a different form, employ adifferent count, use one or more different signals, use different timingintervals, and/or signal different pour increments. For example, in onealternative embodiment, the signaling apparatus 20 comprises threeindicators 40, 42, 44—such as green, yellow, and red LEDs—representinggo, slow, and stop. In this embodiment, the green light indicates thatthe bartender should pour or continue pouring. The yellow light warnsthe bartender that they should prepare to stop pouring. The red lightnotifies the bartender that they have dispensed the full amount andshould stop. In another embodiment, the signaling apparatus 20 can beslid onto an existing standard “285” spout.

Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments ofthe invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize thatvarious changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of thisinvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

1. A free pour signaling apparatus for a pour spout that paces a freepour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor thatsenses a condition consistent with a start of a pour; a circuitincluding an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of apour; at least one indicator coupled to the circuit; the circuitactuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count andchoreograph a movement to stop pouring; and a power source that powersthe circuit and at least one indicator; wherein at least one indicatorsignals at least two time intervals to choreograph a free pour; wherein:an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measuredfrom a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed todispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a secondlength of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes todispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe at least one indicator emits a first signal after the initial timeinterval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequent signals during eachof a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals.
 2. The free poursignaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit is programmed toactuate a second indicator to choreograph the bartender's completion ofa standard pour.
 3. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 2,wherein the standard pour is 1¼ or 1½ ounces of beverage.
 4. (canceled)5. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pour spoutcomprises a rubber grommet having a neck portion, a finned portion, anda flanged portion, the finned portion being configured to be insertedinto a beverage container and form a tight seal with the beveragecontainer, and the neck portion being configured to fit around a conduitcoupled to the rubber grommet, the pour spout further comprising abent-nosed spout coupled to the conduit, a cap member for mounting theconduit in the rubber grommet, and a breather tube that allows air toflow into beverage container as beverage flows out of the spout.
 6. Thefree pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit isembodied in a housing that includes a column that fits over a neck ofthe pour spout.
 7. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe circuit is embodied in a housing mounted on the pour spout, thehousing including a translucent exterior wall for diffusing lightemanating from the at least one indicator.
 8. The free pour signalingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a level switch.
 9. The freepour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicatorcomprises one or more light emitting diodes. 10-11. (canceled)
 12. Thefree pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first timeinterval is about 200 ms and the second time interval is about 400 ms.13. A pour spout with a free pour signaling apparatus that paces a freepour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor thatsenses a condition consistent with a start of a pour; a circuitincluding an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of apour; at least one indicator coupled to the circuit; the circuitactuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count andchoreograph a movement to stop pouring; and a power source that powersthe circuit and at least one indicator; wherein the at least oneindicator signals at least two time intervals to choreograph a freepour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length oftime, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour,needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout,minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and tostop a free pour; a regular time interval approximates an amount of timethat it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through thepour spout; and the at least one indicator emits a first signal afterthe initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequentsignals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals.14. The pour spout of claim 13, wherein the circuit is embodied in ahousing that includes a column that fits over a rubber neck of the pourspout.
 15. The pour spout of claim 13, wherein the circuit is embodiedin a housing mounted on the pour spout, the housing including atranslucent exterior wall for diffusing light emanating from the atleast one indicator.
 16. The pour spout of claim 13, wherein the sensoris a level switch. 17-18. (canceled)
 19. The pour spout of claim 13,wherein the first time interval is about 200 ms and the second timeinterval is about 400 ms.
 20. A pour spout with a free pour signalingapparatus that paces a free pour count, the free pour signalingapparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with astart of a pour; a circuit including an electronic timing element thattracks a length of time of a pour; first and second lights coupled tothe circuit; the circuit flashing the first light at regular intervalsto pace a free pour count; the circuit being flashing the second lightto choreograph a movement to complete a standard pour; and a powersource that powers the circuit and at least one indicator.